Trade Outbids Museums At Skinner's Americana

BOLTON, MASS.

: While nothing went crazy and prices realized were relatively staid - just half-a-dozen lots exceeded the $10,000 mark - the Americana auction at Skinner proved to be yet another solid sale overall. The August 14 auction featured items from private collections from every state in New England, with the exception of the extremely-busy-in-August state of New Hampshire, as well as Long Island. A large assortment of cast iron building supports was consigned by Wilton, Conn., collector Michael Gould, better known as the husband of antiques show promoter Marilyn Gould. It also boasted consignments from a Pennsylvania Museum as well as a Florida estate.

A large crowd was in attendance for the sale, and, as has become the norm at a Skinner auction, up to ten people were staffing the telephones routinely throughout the day. Auctioneer Stephen Fletcher moved the sale along at a brisk pace, interjecting his welcome assorted tales and quips, all the while keeping the crowd in good spirits.

The two most interesting stories of the day involved Connecticut historical societies attempting to bring home local historical treasures, both of which unfortunately failed at the auction, yet one ended happily after all. Marilyn Gould of the Wilton Historical Society attempted to chase the extremely rare double "double" stoneware gemel jug but never got her paddle in the air, and the Norwalk Historical Society failed in its attempts to outbid the competition for the "Norwalk" slip decorated charger.

The rare slip charger, which appeared on the cover of the Norwalk Pottery book, was estimated at only $4/6,000, although those in the know realized the rare charger would do much better than that. At more than 12 inches in diameter, the plate was boldly decorated in yellow slip with "Norwalk Feb'y the 13 1854." The piece, which had several small repairs, had originally been in the collection of Lewis Scranton, but was sold and had been resold since Fred Giampietro and Ron Dionne bought and parted out the entire collection.

Gail Wall, president of the Norwalk Historical Society (NHS), caught wind of the Skinner auction a few days prior to the sale and mounted a charge to bring the rare slipware plate back to Norwalk. "We held a press conference just four days prior to the auction to request that the community get behind the society's attempt to purchase the plate," she said. "It speaks to our heritage," stated Ms Wall, "This is a historically significant and important object that will benefit the entire community." The Smith pottery, where the plate was made 150-plus years ago, was once situated at the bottom of the hill below the society's Mill Hill Historic Museum and Park.

"We received 43 pledges that amounted to over $5,000 in just four days and Mayor Knopp was generous enough to promise us matching funds for any monies that the society spent of our own coffers," she said.

It did not prove to be enough, however, as bids for the plate bounced back and forth around the room and with the telephones. The society executed a final bid of $16,000, only to be countered and have the lot claimed by New York City dealer Gary Stradling for $19,975, including premium.

"It is striking and historically important," stated Mr Stradling after the auction in regard to the slip plate, "and that's our stock and trade. We like the story, the history," he said, "It is really an iconic thing, our kind of goods."

While NHS lost its bid for the plate at the auction, the board of directors met with Ms Wall in the days following the sale and devised a new strategy to "bring the plate home." After gaining information that the plate had been purchased by Mr Stradling for inventory, the NHS president said she "emailed the NHS Board of Directors - requesting approval to speak with Mr Stradling and purchase the plate," and the consensus was "to go for it!"

Good news followed the next day when Ms Wall jubilantly related "we/NHS have committed to purchase the plate." Mr Stradling, who stated that he enjoys working with institutions commented, "It happens to be a wonderful regional piece that belongs there."

The Norwalk Historical Society is still seeking donations for the purchase; anyone interested should contact it at POB 335, Norwalk, 06851, call NHS at 203-846-0525, or contact Gail Wall directly at 203-847-4027.

The rare, possibly unique, stoneware double "double" gemel jugs were also hotly competed for with Mr Stradling once again a major player in the action. While numerous double jugs are known, most of which are believed to have been made at the Stedman and Seymour pottery in New Haven, this is the first example by the maker to have surfaced with four ovoid jugs joined together with a single handle. Each of the jugs bore a washed in blue "Stedman" mark and the seams between the jugs had also been highlighted in cobalt. Free of any other decoration, the jugs were in overall excellent condition with the exception of a hairline crack that ran between two of the jugs.

Estimated conservatively at $1,5/2,500, the jugs opened with strong absentee bids at $5,500. Mr Stradling hit the jugs at $6,000 with the telephone jumping in at $6,500, while a stunned Marilyn Gould looked on. The battle was short lived with the piece hammering down to the telephone at $8,500, ultimately realizing $9,987 with premium.

The top lot of the auction came as a one-drawer blanket chest with strong white feather painted design over a slate blue paint was offered. With cutout bootjack ends, the chest had a provenance of being passed in 1948 from Helen Metcalf Danforth, former president of the RISD, to another president of RISD, Max William Sullivan. Estimated at $8/12,000, the piece was actively bid with a telephone buyer claiming the lot in the end for $34,075.

A Federal diminutive paint decorated bird's-eye maple worktable with floral decorated top was an interesting lot with it selling at ten times the low presale estimate as it brought $17,625.

Other top lots included a cast zinc and molded sheet copper sheep weathervane that sold for $24,675, while a horse and jockey vane realized $7,050. Two colorful quilts, one a mariner's compass quilt, the other a Quaker family album quilt, went out at $14,100 each, while an "orange peel" quilt realized $7,637.

A nice unsigned carved and painted wood eagle with banner attributed to John Bellamy was also actively bid with it surpassing estimates as it brought $7,637.

Prices include the buyer's premium charged.

Upcoming sales include a Discovery sale September 9 in Bolton. Auctions in Boston include American Indian and Ethnographic Art on September 10, and American and European Paintings and prints on September 16. The next Americana sale is scheduled for the Skinner's Boston Gallery on November 6. Skinner is currently accepting Americana consignments for that auction.

For further information contact Skinner, 357 Main Street, Bolton MA 01740, or call 978-779-6241. Online the Americana department may be reached at american@skinnerinc.com or www.skinnerinc.com.